School bus drivers union, STS-NM reach deal

American Federation of Teachers of New Mexico president Stephanie Ly, center, announces to the media on Wednesday, April 13 2016, in front of the NEA New Mexico headquarters that a tentative agreement has been reached between STS of New Mexico and the Las Cruces Federation Local 6341, the union representing Las Cruces Public Schools bus drivers.(Photo: Robin Zielinski / Sun-News)Buy Photo

After more than five hours of negotiations Wednesday, the parties emerged and Stephanie Ly, president of the American Federation of Teachers of New Mexico, delivered a brief, prepared statement on behalf of all parties. ATF-NM helps organize Las Cruces Transportation Federation Local 6341, the union representing the district’s bus drivers.

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(Photo: Robin Zielinski / Sun-News)

“We are proud to stand here today and let you know that we have reached a tentative agreement,” Ly said. “No details will be given out at this time, but we would like to thank the federal mediator and the community today.”

Dennis Teel, a mediator from the Federal Mediation Service, helped to negotiate the agreement.

Ly added that the tentative deal was subject to ratification by the parties involved, but that there would be no bus driver strike “in the foreseeable future.”

Van Wamel, general manager of STS-NM, said he is pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached.

“I’m happy that we got to a point where we can all agree,” Wamel said. “The community is not going to be affected now, and the kids are going to get to school on time.”

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(Photo: Robin Zielinski / Sun-News)

Marcos Torres, president of LCTF Local 6341, said he wanted to thank parents for their patience and support.

“We know it’s been a hard thing for them; it’s been a hard thing for us,” Torres said.

The deal came amid a last-ditch attempt. Union drivers gathered at the STS-NM bus yard around 1:30 p.m., ready to strike. It appeared as though negotiations had broken down. But moments before a picket line was formed, the drivers were told to return to work and the union's bargaining team returned to negotiations.